Shank support



March 25 1924. y 1,487,792

F. P. MARX SHNK SUPPORT Original Filed Aug. 24. 1921 www Patented Mar. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES lenig;

FREDERICK P. MARX, OF ST. LOUIKS1VII SSYOURI. Y

SHANK SUPPORT.

Application led August 24, 1921, Serial No. 495,098.I Renewed February 4', 1924.

To all whom t may cancer/n.:

Be it known'that I, FREDERICK P. MARX, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Shank Support, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shank supports. An object of the invention isv to provide an improved supporting member supportedv by and extending forwardly from the 'shoe heel and possessing the desired characteristic 4of solidity and at the same time retaining the desiredV fiexibility of the shoe Ysole beyond the forward end of the support.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved shank support built into the heel and extending forwardly to form a connection with the shank of the shoe sole and having rigid connection with the heel Other objects will appear from the following description reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is an elevation showing my improved shank support in connection with a shoe.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the heel and the shank support.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shank support detached from the heel and the shoe.

As shown my improved shank support comprises a metallic heel formed to provide a relatively wide and deep rear portion 1 and -a relatively narrow and shallow forward portion developing into a substantially flat end portion 2. The material may be cast or otherwise formed inthe desired shape.

The upper edges of the flaring walls of the device are provided with an outwardly extending iiange 3 adapted to be secured to the shoe sole or to the heel by nails 4 passing through holes in said flange and engaging the sole or the heel, as desired.

The wide and deep part 1 of the device is seated in a recess formed in the shoe heel while the bottom wall of the device inclines upwardly toward the shank of the shoe sole in front of the heel.

In making connection the shank support may he secured directly to the shoe sole or directly to the heel as desired. In case the device is secured to the heel the nails 4 are driven through the fiange 3 into the heel as shown in Fig. 3. In case the device is secured directly to the shoe sole the nails 4 are.. driven throughthe iange 3 into and clenched' upon the shoe sole as shown in Fig. 2.

. In either case the shankof the-shoe sole is preferablysplit horizontally4 or trans- Myy improved shank support is adaptedA for usein connectionwith heels of various types. It may be used in connection with leather heels as shown, and may as readily be used in connection with rubber heels or heels composed of any material.

The nails 7 by which the heels are fastened to the shoe sole are at the sides of the shank support and, since the shank support is imbedded in the heel, it is impossible for any of the parts to become relatively displaced.

I do not restrict myself to unessential features, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. TheV combination with a shoe heel having a recess therein, of a shank support comprising a concave portion seated in the recess of the heel, and a forwardly extending narrow portioncomprising upwardly and outwardly aring walls in continuation of the walls of the concave portion .converging toward their forward ends, said narrow portion extending forwardly from the heel and forming a rigid support for the shank of the Shoe sole.

Q. The combination with a shoe heel having a recess therein, of a shank support comprising a concave portion seated in the recess of the heel, a forwardly extending narrow portion comprising upwardly and outwardly iiaring walls in continuation of the walls of the concave portion-converging toward their forward ends, said narrow portion extending forwardly from the heel and forming a rigid support for the shank of the shoe sole, and an under cover for the forwardly extending portion of the Shank luplport having its rear end attached to the 3. The combination with a shoe heel, of a shank support composed of thin metal shaped to provide a relatively wide concave rear portion imbedded in the heel, and a forwardly extended portion narrowing toward its forward end and having upwardly flaring walls in continuation of the walls of the rear portion, which walls converge and Hatten toward the forward end of the shank support.

4. The combination with a shoe heel, of a shank support composed of thin metal Shaped to provide a relatively wide concave rear portion imbedded in the heel, 'a forwardly extended portion narrowing toward itsv forward end and having upwardly flaring walls in continuation of the wallsl of the rear portion, whichwalls converge and flatten toward the forward end of the shank support, and a flat portion extendingv forwardly from thetermination of the space between said Haring walls.

5. The combination with a shoe heel, of

a Shank Support composed of thin metal shaped to provide a 'relatively vwide concave rear portion imbedded vin the heel, a forwardly extended portion narrowing toward its forward end and having upwardly liaring walls in continuation of the walls of the rear portion, which walls converge and fiatten toward the forward end ofthe shank support, and a bordering flange extending outwardly from the upper edge of said support to bear against the shoe sole.

6. A shank Support of the character described, comprising a thin metallic body including a concave rear portion, the concavity of which is of gradually decreasing depth toward the forward end thereof, and a narrow front portion which is downwardly concaved in cross section in continuation of the concavity of the rear portion arranged to support the shank of a shoe sole.

7. A shank support of the character described, comprising a thin metallic body including a concave rear portion, vthe concavity of which is of gradually decreasing depth toward the forward end thereof, a narrow front portion which is downwardly concaved in cross section in continuation of the concavity of the rear portion arranged to support the shank of a shoe sole, and a relatively flat extremity at the forward end of said front portion. i

FREDERICK P. MARX. 

